I had to shoot a haunted corn maze last night.  The first monster jumped out at me, and into the corn I tumbled.  My camera went one way, my flash another, my bag another.  All witnesses could see were my flailing legs sticking up in the air.

• Sunday (today) - Rest.
• Monday - Run 2 miles easy.
• Tuesday - Run 3 miles easy.
• Wednesday - Rest or cross train (non-running activity).
• Thursday - Run 2 miles easy.
• Friday - Run 3 miles easy.
• Saturday - Run 3.25 miles easy.

There is a race I’m going to sign up for in January.  Actually, there are three pretty close together.  I plan to also keep up my weights and sprints and stadium stairs during this time, and throw in more of the elliptical.  And more swimming and biking.

I know I work for a newspaper and all, but really … 1A?  Today was the 100-yard dash for media folks at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City.  They started us inside their official starting gate and we ran barefoot down the dirt horse track.  I didn’t win, but I didn’t lose, either.  And I definitely didn’t tumble onto the dirt and cut my head open, so I guess the event can be considered a success.

I rented a chainsaw from Home Depot so I could rid my front yard of the fallen tree.  I could not even start the thing, so co-worker Doug Collier had to come over and help with that.  He cut off a few branches, but I did most of the work - which involved hauling everything to the curb.

Though far less catastrophic than last time, another tree has fallen in my yard — this time due to Hurricane Ike.  It was dead, and I’ve been meaning to cut it down anyway.  Luckily it went in the direction it did, because the neighbor’s car was parked in the driveway not five feet away on the other side.  What is it with me and trees?

I never knew these things existed until I visited the Cairo Plantation in Dixie yesterday.  They build upside-down volcanoes in the sand so they can catch ants.  The owners of the plantation thought I was a dumb city girl since I’d never seen them before.

After spending a night on the newsroom floor, our hotel room at the nearby Hilton was a welcome reprieve.  It had water damage, though, so for half the week we had to sleep with a dehumidifier and two high-powered industrial-strength fans that were EXTREMELY loud.  The place essentially turned into a wind tunnel and sounded like a construction zone.

Me and Adam resorted to eating MRE’s in Crowley.  I didn’t think they were too bad, though he might tell you different.  Cold beef stew never tasted so good.